British Lions offer Leadership Insights

Stay on top of the latest and greatest

Rugby players talk to DS Smith’s 'Future Leaders'

DS Smith welcomed international rugby player, Sam Warburton, to DS Smith’s 'Future Leaders' course, offering his insight on leadership in a session facilitated by former international rugby star' Tom Shanklin, who is a Commercial Manager at DS Smith.

'Future Leaders' is a collaboration between DS Smith Learning and Development and the Professional Development Centre, a leadership organisation based in Wales, who worked with DS Smith to develop the bespoke training course. 'Future Leaders' focuses on expanding the leadership potential of key talent within DS Smith, bringing delegates together from across its divisions and regions for a holistic leadership training course that focuses on developing employees through the company’s leadership competency framework.

DS Smith Recycling is a sponsor of the Cardiff Blues, and Sam Warburton and Tom Shanklin, current and former players, joined the session to offer a sporting perspective on the meaning and challenges of leadership.

Dr Arthur Turner, Director of the Professional Development Centre, said, "Sam Warburton and Tom Shanklin brought practical perspectives from the field of professional sports to the 'Future Leaders' course, offering insight into leadership techniques from the high-performance world of internal rugby. Their view on performance and leadership offered our 'Future Leaders' the opportunity to discuss first-hand the impact of performance pressures on teams, and how strong leadership can achieve great things."